Nature of science – introduction
The nature of science is the overarching and unifying strand in the New Zealand science curriculum document. Our nature of science articles on the Science Learning Hub unpack this strand and highlights places within the Hub that address this key component of scientific literacy.
To answer the question what is the nature of science? We must first answer what is science? One common answer is that science consists of three domains:
A body of knowledge.
A wide range of methods or processes to develop this knowledge.
A way of thinking.
The nature of science constitutes this third domain and is the most abstract and least familiar of the three.
The nature of science as a way of thinking refers to ‘thinking with a particular lens’ – just as the nature of history would be thinking through a historical lens. This particular way of thinking is underpinned by certain values and characteristics (such as in science, creativity, curiosity, attempts to reduce bias and empiricism).
Child looking at a plant
Students won’t learn about photosynthesis just by watching a leaf in the Sun, nor will they learn about the nature of science just by doing investigations.
Our nature of science articles points you to many different places within the Hub where you can find the nature of science – throughout the articles, research, videos, animations and teaching and learning activities. Engage your students in science by wrapping your science programme around the nature of science.
The article Alternative conceptions about the nature of science looks at common misunderstandings about the nature of science. Use this information in your planning and teaching to address these misconceptions.
Explore these nature of science resources
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Related webinars
The third video of the webinar Learning benefits of a knowledge systems approach to science discusses how including knowledge systems in our teaching can help in making NoS more meaningful.
Pinterest board
See our Nature of science Pinterest board with links to a range of resources, related materials and activities to aid the teaching of the Nature of science.
Useful link
Understanding Science is an educational website for teaching and learning about the nature and process of science. It has an interactive flowchart that represents the process of scientific inquiry, with links to relevant teaching and learning resources.
